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Munda Biddi Trail officially opens with the Epic 1000 ride

The world's longest, most continuous mountain bike trail, the Munda Biddi, has officially opened in Western Australia with a group of cyclists hitting the pedals to become the first ever to complete the entire 1,000km ride.

"Now that the Munda Biddi is open from end it end, it will be an iconic and must-do ride for people around the world,” Ron Colman, chairman of the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation, said at the opening on Sunday.

Coleman lead a group of 26 riders onto the trail as part of the Welldrill Munda Biddi Epic 1000 – the inaugural end to end ride. It was a fitting way to mark the opening of such a significant trail along the eastern edge of Western Australia after more than a decade in the making.

The riders set off from Albany on Sunday and are making their way north over three weeks, passing through an undeveloped natural corridor of bushland, river valleys and towering eucalypti. They'll reach the trail's end, as well as the welcoming party celebrations, in Sculpture Park, Mundaring, north of Perth, on April 28.

"It's been an ongoing effort over 12 years, working alongside the Department of Environment and Conservation, sharing ideas, helping with the planning and route mapping and attracting funding," Colman said.

“Along the way 600 people have joined the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation and we have 100 active volunteers who help run manage and maintain the trail and run events.”

The finishing touches to the Munda Biddi, which means “path through the forest” in the Noongar Aboriginal language, were made by volunteers on the southern leg between Denmark and Manjimup in recent weeks. Parts of the trail were funded and built by the Department of Environment and Conservation in partnership with the South West and Great Southern development commissions and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation.

For those attempting to ride the entire length of the mountain bike trail, camping facilities are available in the custom made shelters spaced out along the route. Alternatively, riders can pop into the many towns the route skirts along the way.

Coleman said people of all abilities and ages can enjoy exploring parts of the Munda Biddi, while adventure seekers could aim to become a Munda Biddi Trail Blazer by completing the full 1,000km challenge.

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